Sewer & Storm Drains

Our sanitary sewer system is a closed system, meaning no storm drains or other surface water enters the system. Sanitary sewer flows to a treatment center before being discharged.

The storm drain system in Washington Township collects surface water, rain and melted snow, through an open system of catch basins. Storm drains discharge into the Clinton River Watershed, without being treated. To protect the our natural water resources, we encourage you to remember "Only rain in the drain!!"

The Department of Public Works inspects our sanitary sewer system through manholes, or other structures, for maintenance of the system. Many of these structures are located in your front yard, either in the lawn area or in driveways. These structures must stay visible at all times for routine inspections and for emergencies. Our crews will have to uncover these structures if they are covered by grass or other obstructions and will not replace anything, including sod, over the structure.For additional assistance, contact Bonnie Krauss in the Department of Public Works: (586) 786-0010 press 221 or by email.

The Macomb County Public Works Commissioner is responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the county's 750 drains. He also manages the Macomb County Wastewater Disposal District, which provides sewer service through Detroit for eleven County Communities.

STORM OR SANITARY SEWER BACK-UP

Under the guidelines of Public Act 222, any resident or business owner having experienced an overflow or backup of a sewage disposal system or storm water system should contact the Charter Township of Washington Department of Public Works immediately. You must file a written claim with the Charter Township of Washington within 45 days after the overflow or back up is discovered.

To receive a Notice of Claim Form, download from our website or contact Bonnie Krauss in the Department of Public Works (586) 786-0010 extension 221 or by email.

Failure to provide the required claim form will prevent reimbursement for damages, if due.

WIPESThe convenient act of flushing wipes down the toilet has become a serious consumer burden on our sewer system. Field studies undertaken by associations for clean water professionals and the nonwoven industry in 2011 and 2012 revealed that 40% of materials trapped on pump station inlet screens were nonwoven wipes. Baby wipes represented the largest percentage at 18%, followed by household wipes at 14% and flushable wipes at 8%.

Once sewage hits the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPS), everything, including the wipes, must be dealt with. DWSD operates one of the largest WWTPs in the world treating an average of 710 million gallons of sewage each day from 77 communities. There are hundreds of pieces of equipment where wipes can accumulate.

Because the WWTPs were not designed to handle nonwoven wipes, there has been a 300% increase in the frequency of WWTP equipment cleaning. Modifying equipment throughout the treatment process to accommodate a waste stream that includes nonwoven materials would be expensive, complicated and could lead to further increases in operations and maintenance costs. We will all pay the cost through higher rates.

We hope this article helps raise awareness about how wipes and other flushables affect our sewer system.

GREASEGrease that is found in meat fats, lard, cooking oil, shortening, food scraps, baked goods, sauces, dairy products and butter or margarine sticks to the inside of the sewer pipes (both on your property and the Township sewer system). Over time, the grease can build and block the entire piping system.

What you can do to help:

* Never pour grease down sink drains, garbage disposals, or into toilets. * Scrape grease and food scraps from trays, plates, pots, pans, utensils, grills and cooking surfaces into a can or the trash for disposal (or recycling where available). * Put baskets/strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids and empty the drain baskets/strainers into the trash for disposal.